A Joyous sukkot - 5786

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We connected to Hashem in Elul, we accepted Him as our King on Rosh Hashanah, we did Teshuvah over the Ten Days of Repentance, and we bonded with Him and started with a clean slate on Yom Kippur.  This all brings us tremendous joy, like a child reunited with his or her parents after a period of distance.  We can imagine what joy both parents and child feel.


This joy is expressed in the next phase of our holidays, the “Time of our Joy,” Sukkot.  It is a beautiful holiday with many wonderful observances, culminating in the joyous day of Simchat Torah. This is how we express our joy in our connection with Hashem, by observing extra Mitzvot.  And this holiday has several.  Sitting and eating - actually “dwelling” - in the Sukkah, shaking the Four Species, special prayers and meals, including kiddush and challah, parties and gatherings, cutting back on work and dancing with the Torah.


This joy, and the “tying it down” with the physical observance of the joyous Mitzvot, help us carry the inspiration throughout the year.


Someone asked me, how can you talk about such joy and celebration in light of the events of Simchat Torah two years ago.  Of course we are not ignoring what happened, nor are we forgetting the ongoing suffering of our hostages, soldiers and citizens of Israel.  But there is a famous song that has been sung for generations in may communities around the world on Simchat Torah:  “When Israel engages in the joy of the Torah, the Holy One, blessed be He, says to His entourage, ‘See my beloved children who set aside their sorrow and engage in my joy’.”  


We are still here because we recognize that our core as a nation is the Torah, and regardless of all the trials and tribulations that we have suffered through the ages, we hold steadfastly to its study and practice.  There is a time to mourn our exile and our tragic losses, and a time to set that aside and celebrate the miracle of our survival, and to make sure that we focus on our future, which will continue to be assured through our joy in who we are and what we stand for.


You are invited to join us at Chabad for Holiday services, and meals and celebrations in the Sukkah. Our doors are open and we look forward to seeing you. 


I wish you a wonderful, joyous and uplifting Sukkot, and may we celebrate the holiday in the Holy Temple with Moshiach


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